Bakerella does some amazing things with a little bit of flour, sugar and some lollie sticks. But this project takes the cake.

It goes on, as you can imagine…

But, here’s the beauty part:

And, stop right there. That’s it – that’s where I start to tear up.

***

Find out what prompted all of this and more, over at Bakerella. If you have feelings, the story will touch your heart like crazy. I tear up a bit every time I read it. I have never met these people, and I tear up a bit. You want to make fun of me? Go ahead. I may be ridiculous, but at least I have copious amounts of feelings that cannot be contained.

Want to make a serious impact this holiday season, but feel your typical treats just aren’t cutting it this year? Or maybe you kinda sorta forgot to buy gifts for your family and friends, and it’s December 22 already. Whoa, came outta nowhere, right?!

Okay, no worries, everything’s fine. Bakerella has some major league ideas that are sure to drop jaws…

Show up on the scene holding a sweet lookin’ batch of any of the uber-creative confections below – all courtesy of the magnificent Bakerella – and you’ll finally be able to throw away your copy of “How to Win Friends and Influence People.”

It’s through their eyes and their stomachs, my friends. Their eyes and their stomachs.

Of course, it doesn’t stop there. Bakerella has tons of ideas and recipes, and some seriously phenomenal photography to go along with it. I especially love the shots that depict the initial steps of her baking process:

Okay… so I’m going to leave you with that for the time being, as I go bake something immediately, because I’ve just thoroughly enticed and tortured myself and unfortunately there’s no turning back… Talk soon!

In her “Notes on Nursing: What It Is and What It Is Not,” English nurse Florence Nightingale wrote that light – preferably sunlight – plays an essential role in the process of getting well. She also said that those of us who are ailing “should be able to see … sky and sunlight,” as she observed that most patients tended to lie with their faces turned towards the light, much in the way that “plants always make their way to the light.”

This is why doctors are always telling us to make sure we get enough Vitamin D. Among its many purported health benefits, it is understood that the Vitamin D our body produces when our skin is exposed even to just a little bit of sunshine can actually make us feel better emotionally. Which means it can literally and figurativelybrighten our day! That’s kind of awesome.

So, now that we know that sunlight is pretty important for our general well-being, it seems like it should be easy enough to get our hands on it – err, faces in it – right? Just step into the light for 10-15 minutes and ta-da, you’ve got yourself enough rays for the day (well, health-wise; certainly not fun-wise).

Unfortunately, while at work, many of us do not have the privilege of being seated near south-facing windows, and still others have the misfortune of being caged inside of too-high cubicle walls, seemingly fated never to experience the touch and feel of daylight between the hours of 9am to 6pm. (Which reminds me – when did the acceptable amount of hours in a typical work day go from 9 – 5 to 9 – 6? When and WHY did this change? Yes, I am asking you, The Man.)

Anyway… so what are we to do if we can’t spend some time outside, soaking up those warm winter rays?

Well, if you really don’t have any time at all to do it, then a) you’re being seriously overworked, and b) you might want to check with your doctor about alternative ways to get your daily dose – ’cause, for real, it’s important.

Beyond that, I’ve got some fashion advice: how about a fun, alternative way for you to get some light in your life? While it won’t result in the production of Vitamin D, it will give you a seriously useful boost of confidence that should last well beyond sunset. What is it? Well, unless you’re interested in waking up at dawn to catch a few minutes of sunbeam satisfaction before you head off to work, I suggest dawning some glam threads that’ll serve to brighten your mood… not to mention many of those around you! I love it when I see someone who has really put some effort into her look… especially if it’s on a day when I HAVEN’T! :)

So, what to wear? Today, I’ve gathered up a healthy mix of fun, shimmering, soft, chic and romantic looks for the flashion-obsessed bride! Any sparkle or glow in your get-up will do; from a dress with lots of glitz, to a clutch that catches some serious light, to earrings that illuminate your immediate surroundings. Whether you’re into a frock with some flash, or you prefer a soft, chic look that leaves the razzle-dazzle to a super accessory, it doesn’t matter… when you arrive at your bachelorette party in any one of these get-ups, you’ll look and feel hotter than each and every one of those girls on stage at your future hubby’s bach… I mean, any of those girls in their winter coats working the ski lifts at the lodge. Because that’s where men go for bachelor parties; they go to ski lodges, and then they turn in early. ;)